Oldies but goodies: 5 classic French dishes you need to taste

When it comes to traditional French cooking, most people have heard of the more exotic delicacies like frogs’ legs (cuisses de grenouilles) and snails (escargots). Though they’re certainly iconic, there are plenty of other classic dishes in French cuisine worth getting to know.  

In fact, many of today’s chefs are looking to the past for inspiration, and to one place in particular: the French bistro. Historically, bistros are small restaurants where one can enjoy authentic food at an affordable price and in a casual setting. Simple yet refined, rich and flavourful, French bistro dishes utilise modest ingredients that are cooked with care to create comforting, nourishing meals.  

If that description tickles your taste buds, then keep reading to discover five of our favourite classic French dishes to try!  

The ultimate starter:  pâté en croûte  

Pâté en croûte is a terrine wrapped in pastry crust (“en croûte” meaning “in a crust”). The filling is usually a mixture of ground meat with vegetables, herbs, and nuts. Though it’s been baked, it is typically served at room temperature and makes for a delightfully savoury start to your meal.  

For a meat-free alternative, consider devilled eggs (oeufs mimosa). Halves of hard-boiled egg are filled with a creamy yolk, mayonnaise, and mustard mixture, then sprinkled with chopped chives for a fresh, light entrée.  

A dish for a crowd: coq au vin 

When it’s time to feed family and friends, you can’t go wrong with coq au vin. Chicken is combined with onions, mushrooms, herbs and garlic, then simmered in a red wine sauce until all of the flavours are perfectly combined.   

Alternatively, beef bourguignon is another classic that can be created using similar techniques, resulting in a tender braised beef in rich red wine sauce that’s sure to please the crowd!  

 If red wine sauces aren’t quite to your liking, cassoulet is a southern slow-cooked dish that brings white beans, bacon, and sausage together in a tomato-based sauce. Serve with some crusty French bread and you’ve got the ideal winter meal.  

Another way to enjoy foie gras: tournedos rossini 

Most of us are used to seeing foie gras served as an appetiser, but it can also be incorporated into a main, as is the case with tournedos rossini. This dish features a pan-fried beef tournedos steak fillet sandwiched between crispy toast and warm foie gras. Freshly shaved black truffle and a deeply rich Madeira sauce add even more decadence to this refined dish.  

The simple comfort meal: onion soup  

French onion soup is proof that even the most humble ingredient can be truly enhanced with the right recipe. Sweet onions are caramelised until deep golden brown, then added to a savoury stock and topped with thin slices of bread and a generous helping of cheese (like Emmental or Comté) that melts and browns under the broiler before serving.  

If you’re looking for a lighter summer dish, let yourself be tempted by ratatouille! Chopped eggplant, courgette, and capsicum stew in fragrant tomato sauce until the vegetables are soft and the flavours are well-combined.  

A sweet treat: flan  

Flan is a French custard tart consisting of a flaky pastry crust filled to the brim with creamy vanilla custard and baked until the top is golden. The end result is a textural delight that’s flavourful and satisfying.  

For more creamy vanilla goodness, try rice pudding (riz au lait). Round rice is slowly cooked in milk with a bit of sugar and vanilla, then served warm or at room temperature. Thick, luscious, and just-sweet-enough, it feels like a real treat at snack time or at the end of a meal.  

With these classic French recipes, you don’t need obscure ingredients (like those frogs’ legs and snails) or expensive kitchen gadgets to enjoy delicious, high-quality meals right at home. For more French cooking inspiration, visit our Recipes page!